Progetto SAMFIX

“Saving mediterranean forests from invasions of Xylosandrus
beetles and associated pathogenic fungi.”

ABSTRACT
In September 2016, the first major outbreak of Asian Ambrosia beetles weighing within a European natural ecosystem was discovered in Circeo National Park (Italy)- Xylosandrus compactus (black twig borer) and Xylosandrus crassiusculus (granulate ambrosia beetle).
These beetles, which host symbiotic fungi, dig tunnels into young branches (X. compactus) and trunks (X. crassiusculus) of trees. Infested trees may show wilting, branch deformation, breakage, and general decline.
Eventually, widespread desiccation of Mediterranean scrub may occur, as has occurred in Circeo Park over an area of 13 hectares.
The alarming damage in the Circeo Park, the increasing number of reports along the Tyrrhenian coast, in or near natural parks, and the resulting vulnerability of many species of Mediterranean maquis evergreens have led scientists to study possible pathways of expansion and test early detection protocols and small-scale containment and eradication measures.
The Life SAMFIX Project aims to share and exploit these expertise, discoveries and research efforts; develop specific protocols and tools and test them in a wide range of sites; collect and evaluate the data obtained to better understand invasion modes and pathways, risks and effectiveness, in order to achieve the following objectives:

• establish at 6 European survey sites within or near natural parks effective protocols for prevention, early warning and rapid response, eradication or containment of current infestations, and prevention of future expansion;
• extend prevention and early warning protocols to 8 natural parks in the vicinity of these sites to prevent future expansion;
• disseminate knowledge on pathways and risks, prevention protocols, early detection and rapid response among Mediterranean and EU organizations, networks and experts involved in IAS policies and among managers of natural parks in order to facilitate the adoption of phytosanitary measures and replication of protocols developed to preserve Mediterranean forests and scrub landscapes.

PROGRAM
LIFE17
TYPE OF ACTION
NAT/IT/000609
FUNDING
1,706,805 euro
START DATE
01/07/2018
END DATE
28/02/2022

LINK
https://www.lifesamfix.eu/it/life-samfix-3/

PARTNER
Università degli Studi della Tuscia
SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR
Andrea Vannini
DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY
DIBAF: Department for Innovation in Biological, Agri-food and Forestry Systems